TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Toyota Camry cruise control problems
severe 136 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
136
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
39crashes
2fires
21injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 136 cruise control complaints filed for the 2008 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 136 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2008 Camry models describe intermittent and severe cruise control malfunction alongside broader powertrain control issues. The dominant pattern is erratic acceleration behavior: vehicles surge unexpectedly at highway speeds (60–80 mph), then decelerate abruptly when coasting, or surge during hill climbs before downshifting violently. Owners report the cruise control margin exceeds ±15 mph from set speed—far wider than normal. On hills, the system overshoots to 75–80 mph before coasting back down, a safety hazard on grade changes.
Many complaints link cruise control malfunction to sudden unintended acceleration events. Owners describe accelerator pedal hesitation and delayed response, especially during merging or normal driving (20–50 mph range). Some report the pedal feels slack with a dead zone before engagement, then lurches forward unexpectedly. Vehicle behavior mirrors electronic throttle control faults rather than mechanical binding.
Accompanying failures include Check VSC warnings, ABS actuator faults (code C1391), and brake system degradation. Owners report brakes requiring excessive pedal pressure to slow the vehicle, sometimes failing entirely at highway speeds or during gentle braking. The narratives also describe engine revving at idle and inconsistent deceleration.
Toyota dealers initially dismissed complaints as driver error or floor mat interference. Several owners received Software Service Bulletin 0068-08 updates purportedly addressing calibration flaws in the computer, yet failures persisted after the repair. Owners remain unconvinced the root cause—suspected to involve sensor or programming defects in the electronic engine control system—has been resolved.
Same Toyota Camry cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Cruise control oscillation on hills
Cruise control fails to maintain set speed on grades. Vehicle slows significantly climbing hills (60 mph drops to 50 mph), then downshifts and accelerates abruptly (surging to 75–80 mph), overshooting before coasting. Range exceeds ±15 mph from target speed.
When: Primarily during highway driving on rolling terrain; occurs consistently on Taconic Parkway and similar routes with elevation changes
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden downshift and violent acceleration after hill descent; Slow climb performance followed by overspeed on level road; Wide swing in vehicle speed (±15 mph or greater); Car pinning occupants back in seat from abrupt acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Software Service Bulletin 0068-08 issued to update electronic throttle control calibration; improvement noted but wide oscillation persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 0068-08 (Software calibration update); dealer noted 'some flaws in programming'; update only partially resolved issue
Intermittent cruise control function loss
Cruise control engages intermittently or fails to maintain set speed. Function becomes unreliable, requiring drivers to disable and use manual throttle. Dealership diagnostics often fail to reproduce problem during test drive.
When: Intermittent; reported from 2008 purchase onward. One owner noted failure for 'several months' before service appointment.
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control only works sporadically; Vehicle revs excessively on slight inclines when cruise engaged; Engine over-revs into red zone even on level highway; Inability to sustain set speed; system hunts or oscillates
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers claim 'how the computers work now' and offer no repair; customer disabled feature
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers dismissed as normal electronic system behavior; no service campaign issued specifically for cruise control calibration failure
Unexpected acceleration with stuck or sluggish accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck or exhibits delayed response, causing unwanted acceleration from low speeds (5–50 mph) to highway speeds (70–80+ mph). Braking and gear shifting fail to stop vehicle promptly. Pedal may feel slack with a dead zone before sudden full engagement.
When: Occurs from early ownership (3 weeks after purchase) through vehicle life. One case at 6,300 miles; others at 16,000–30,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator locks or sticks at part throttle; Vehicle accelerates from 20 mph to 35+ mph without pedal input; Surges to 80 mph while braking or coasting; Pedal feels slack with dead zone in first ½–¾ inch of depression; Unexpected lurch when stepping on accelerator from standstill; Brakes and neutral gear ineffective at stopping vehicle; Engine roaring while foot on brake pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Floor mat removal attempted by owners and dealers; pedal bar or spacer installed under gas pedal per recall; hesitation and ping sounds reported after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 10V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal) and 09V388000 (floor mats); repairs included accelerator pedal replacement and mechanical bar installation; failures persisted after recall work
Brake system failure with CHECK VSC warning
Brake performance degrades severely when CHECK VSC SYSTEM warning and related lights (ABS, brake system) illuminate. Brakes require extreme pedal pressure to slow vehicle, or fail entirely. Code C1391 indicates ABS accumulator fault.
When: Reported from 53,000 miles onward; some instances at 85,000 miles. Cold-weather mornings noted as trigger.
Symptoms owners cite: CHECK VSC SYSTEM warning on dashboard; ABS indicator, brake indicator, master warning light, slip indicator light illuminate together; Complete loss of braking at highway speeds (40–60 mph); Brake pedal becomes hard as rock; foot cannot depress it; Brakes require excessive pressure or multiple aggressive applications; High-pitched noise from brake system; Brakes slip or roll vehicle even with foot on pedal; Brake system 'barking' or 'chirping' sound with each application
Codes mentioned: C1391 (Abnormal pressure inside ABS accumulator), C1931 (appears to be variant or later diagnosis of accumulator failure)
Repairs/costs cited: ABS accumulator replacement quoted at $2,700–$3,800 with parts, labor, and tax; one owner had accumulator replaced twice (2013 and 2017) due to recurrence; warranty coverage limited to 3 years/36,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty/service campaign initially covered 2013 failure; 2017 failure denied coverage; no recall issued despite multiple reports; Toyota initially refused responsibility
Engine revving at idle and erratic low-speed behavior
Engine races for extended periods upon startup (approx. 30 seconds) or revs excessively during low-speed driving. Vehicle lurches forward from standstill or during gear shifts without throttle input. Behavior worse on hills or when braking.
When: Intermittent; started occurring 5–6 weeks before complaint in some cases; observed during routine startup and city driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine races for ~30 seconds after cold start; Excessive RPM increase when starting vehicle; Vehicle lurches forward then returns to set speed; Loud engine grinding noise accompanying lurch; Repeat episodes occurring more frequently over time; RPMs shoot up when braking at stop sign; Engine accelerates while foot fully on brake pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Inspection stations unable to diagnose; dealers offered no solution and said problem would be resolved when recall parts arrive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealers refused service, citing pending recall
Hesitation and delayed throttle response during acceleration
Throttle response is sluggish or exhibits dead zones. Accelerator feels unresponsive or jerky, causing rough acceleration, especially during merging or passing maneuvers on highways. Engine behaves as if mechanically stuck or throttle control is overly cautious.
When: Noted immediately after purchase (November 2008) or after extended ownership; affects merging safety from day one in some vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claimed 'newer models run electronically and this is a drawback' and refused service; fuel filter cleaning did not resolve; accelerator recall parts were offered but not immediately available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is normal electronic system behavior; parts not available for non-recall repairs; some owners received notification of accelerator pedal recall but were told it was unrelated to hesitation
Synthesized from 136 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Toyota camry. The engine races when the vehicle is started. When the contact places the vehicle into gear, it lunges forward. The vehicle also hesitates when picking up speed after decelerating. An authorized dealer informed him that the computer was designed to work in that manner and there were no solutions to repair the failure. The speed was unknown. The…
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Toyota camry. The contact stated that the repairs were recalls 09v3880000 & 10v017000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) were performed in 2010. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the leg, face and arm. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota camry. The contact stated that he applied the brakes and the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact had to shift into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and of the failure. The failure…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2008 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 136 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 103 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 16,000 and 64,950 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 64,950. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.